Chapter 191
Chapter 191
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Fur Scarves and Northern Strolls
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"Oh, Camellia. Look at this."
"It looks incredibly warm, like a scarf."
"Made from beast hide and fur... and it's pure white."
Ivana had given us warm clothes suitable for wandering around the North.
Even so, we'd still ended up seeking out a clothing store.
The reason? Obviously because we're women?
There was this vibe of just having to check out the clothing store first—a quirk I, as a former man, couldn't quite grasp.
Honestly, even I thought we went pretty often, but cutting back on it was easier said than done.
I'd gone clothes shopping with Karen not even a week ago, then with Ivana after that, and even to a lingerie shop with Lize.
Spending time with women pretty much meant hitting the clothing stores—it felt like an unspoken rule.
"Hehe, instead of wool, how about getting one like this?"
"Wool's nice too, but it does get cold."
"Right?"
Even Rozalin, who was seeing Northern clothes for the first time, seemed more excited than usual.
Lize, quietly trailing behind us, kept glancing around with clear interest. That sealed it.
"What animal's fur is this made from?"
"The one you're holding is from a northern fox. It's got this pure white coat, thick hide, and soft fur, so it's really popular."
"Hmm... Do you have any other kinds besides this?"
"Of course. Mink, wolf, marten... we've got a variety. Pretty much every Northerner owns at least one."
"Ah."
Sure enough, most people in the North wore fur scarves.
They seemed more practical than ones attached to clothes—easy to put on and take off—and they looked genuinely cozy...
"Mother, how about buying one?"
"Should I?"
"Yeah. You've been shivering every time we go out, right? It's best to keep your neck warm. I think getting one here would be perfect."
I'd noticed it clearly since arriving in the North.
Rozalin was quite sensitive to the cold.
She hadn't made a fuss while we wandered outside the castle, but I could see her trembling faintly.
She'd probably tried to hide it from me... but I wasn't oblivious enough to miss it.
"Shall we pick one out for you first, Mother?"
I'd buy one for Lize anyway, but in situations like this, tending to Rozalin came first.
It was true that Rozalin treated Lize and me very casually.
Still, from her perspective, picking for my maid before her wouldn't sit right.
I'd wondered if fur scarves would really be that warm... but they were surprisingly so.
Plus, the unique feel of the fur made choosing them more fun than expected.
"Definitely much warmer. Right?"
"Pfft... yeah."
Anyway, after selecting scarves and a few more clothes, we stepped outside.
It was nothing major, but seeing Rozalin shiver less lifted my spirits.
She could've just said so outright.
But Rozalin had this subtle way of not speaking up about things like that.
Guess it couldn't be helped.
Even as my stepmother, she treated me like a daughter, so she probably didn't want to show any weakness.
"Walking like this... doesn't it feel nice?"
"Of course."
"It's been ages since I last came to the North. Wandering around like this feels wonderful."
"It's so different from the South, so yeah."
After leaving the store, we took a leisurely stroll.
The air was still cold, but better than before.
And the Northern scenery was so beautiful, we couldn't help but keep walking.
Truth be told, since arriving, the three of us hadn't casually strolled like this.
I'd been busy roaming to advise Ivana on her business... so yeah, time with Rozalin and Lize had been scarce.
"Hehe, the South doesn't even get snow in winter."
"In that sense, coming here feels lucky."
"And we only got to come thanks to you, Camellia."
"True that."
I didn't deny it.
If I hadn't come North to help Ivana, Rozalin never would've come either.
Money aside, there'd been no real reason otherwise.
Wintering in the warm South was far preferable, and coming North was a hassle in so many ways.
"You should thank Camellia, then?"
"No need."
I smiled back at Rozalin's words.
Really, there wasn't.
I was enjoying the North with her too, and honestly, I'd even done some sneaky bad things to her in secret.
That morning, waking up first, I'd hugged the sleeping Rozalin however I pleased—no need for thanks there.
Felt a bit criminal thinking like that... but anyway.
"I'm just glad you're okay with coming along because of me, Mother."
"Coming with you? What's not to like?"
"Still. You might not like it. The boring carriage rides here, the cold... or other stuff."
I'd worried about that, honestly.
Not that I'd opposed her coming initially for those reasons.
Back then, it was because getting too close might lead to naughty stuff like this morning.
In the end, I'd gone and done it anyway.
Just how it goes, I suppose.
No turning back after the fact.
"You were worried about that too? No need—I'm tougher than you think."
"Really?"
"Hehe... You know how I grew up, right?"
"Uh..."
Huh.
Hadn't expected her to bring that up here.
Of all things.
"Most things don't make me complain."
"Y-yeah, guess so."
Yeah...
Yeah, makes sense.
I'd heard how she'd been discriminated against in the Rose Family as an illegitimate child, so it clicked.
Of course, that past aside, Rozalin's personality was too kind.
"Hehe... Did I kill the mood?"
"No. You talking about it wouldn't upset me anyway."
"Really?"
"Yeah, it's just your old stories. Doesn't bother me."
"Hehe..."
Rozalin's past.
Especially the illegitimate child stuff with the family—I didn't care.
It didn't make her personality worse or her looks any less appealing.
I just worried how she'd feel bringing it up.
"Hearing you say that honestly relieves me."
If it improved her mood, great for me too.
I hated seeing her upset.
Like back at the Rose Territory...
"Hm."
"What's up? Spot somewhere you wanna go?"
"Just... there's a place a bit back I'd like to check with you, Mother. Not right now, though."
"Hehe, is that so?"
Thinking of the Rose Family soured my mood instantly.
I'd decided to deal with those bastards after turning eighteen... but man, it still pissed me off.
In my life as Camellia, that day had been the worst—nothing matched that anger and disgust.
How they treated us, especially Rozalin—it was beyond excessive.
"Phew..."
Before adulthood, I'd better brainstorm ways to crush Christina Rose.
They were still weak compared to real count families, but recovering bit by bit.
Well, since they were all in their own clique, methods weren't lacking.
"..."
Christina Rose.
Ways to topple that bitch who'd tormented Rozalin? Plenty already coming to mind.
She hadn't rebuilt the family through any genius plan—just leeching off barons and viscounts.
"Miss, what are you thinking?"
"Hm? Oh... just something fun."
"...?"
Conclusion: Take it slow, prepare thoroughly.
The Rose Family had Alexandra as an ally inside, and the rest probably had no clue about my thoughts.